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The immortal voice of Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar, fondly remembered as Didi, was celebrated on her 96th birth anniversary at the grand Didi Puraskaar Presentation Ceremony at Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagruha, Kothrud, Pune. The evening, organized by Shirish Theatre, brought together leading voices and cultural stalwarts for a night steeped in melody and emotion.

The prestigious Didi Puraskaar was conferred upon noted vocalist Madhura Datar and was presented by Ashish Shelar in recognition of her contribution to music and her ability to carry forward the timeless legacy of India’s nightingale.

Pt. Hridaynath Mangeshkar shared special and untold memories of Lata Didi, saying “As long as there is a resonant voice, sound, music, and compassion, my didi is immortal.”

Ashish Shelar said, “Lata Didi’s music is eternal. She was the voice of India’s soul, and celebrating her memory through the Didi Puraskaar ensures that future generations continue to draw strength and inspiration from her.”

Expressing her gratitude, Madhura Datar said, “Receiving the Didi Puraskaar is the greatest honour of my musical journey. To be recognized in Lata Didi’s name is both humbling and inspiring, and I will strive to keep her legacy alive through my music.”

The Hindi–Marathi musical program “Mee Lata Deenanath…” featured soulful performances by Madhura Datar, Manisha Nischal, and Vibhavari Joshi, who paid tribute to Lata Didi through stirring renditions.

Distinguished guests including Sushil Kulkarni, Mohan Joshi, Prajakta Mali, and MP Medha Kulkarni graced the occasion.

The Didi Puraskaar Presentation Ceremony stood out as one of Pune’s most poignant cultural evenings, reaffirming that though her voice may have gone silent, the soul of Didi will always remain alive in every note of Indian music.

“As Long As Music Lives, Didi Lives On.” — Pt. Hridaynath Mangeshkar Leads Didi Puraskaar Presentation Ceremony On Lata Mangeshkar’s 96th Birth Anniversary

Deepak Parashar, Dilip Sen, ACP Sanjay Patil, Rekha Rao, Deepak Desai, Vishwajeet Soni, Mustafa Yusuf Ali Gom, Ramesh Goyal, Yogesh Lakhani of Bright Outdoor Media, Pawan Todi, and many other celebrities attended.

Mumbai. Dr. Krishna Chouhan, a renowned Bollywood producer-director and recipient of the title of “Award King,” organized the 5th “Mahatma Gandhi Ratna Award 2025” on Dussehra. The awards show was held on Gandhi Jayanti, October 2, 2025, under the aegis of the KCF Foundation, at the Mayor Hall, Andheri West, Mumbai. This was the fifth year of the awards ceremony, where several actors, directors, musicians, and social workers were present as special guests, and all were honored with this prestigious award.

All the guests congratulated Dr. Krishna Chouhan for organizing this event.  He has been organizing this event for the past five years. Dr. Krishna Chouhan organizes this awards ceremony to commemorate the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.

Dr. Krishna Chouhan presented awards to Deepak Parashar, ACP Sanjay Patil, API Sandeep of Bandra Police Station, Gopinath Mahamunkar, Dilip Sen, Yogesh Lakhani of Bright Outdoor Media, singers Rekha Rao, Deepak Desai, Ramesh Goyal, Vishwajeet Soni, Dr. Mustafa Yusuf Ali Gom, Pawan Todi (in the role of Mahatma Gandhi), singers NK Naresh, Vicky Nagar, Bharti Chhabria, actress Rangita Singh, and actress Sania Verma, among others.

RJ Aarti Sajwan anchored the program. Singers Naresh and Sagar Acharya sang. Vishwajeet Soni thanked Dr. Krishna Chouhan for producing two albums with his son, Vinayak Soni.

Chief Guest Deepak Parashar said, “Think good for everyone and do good. Eliminate evil from your heart. This is the message of Dussehra.”  I am who I am today because of you.

Producer-director and Chairman of the KCF Foundation, Dr. Krishna Chouhan, paid tribute to Bapu, the champion of truth and non-violence, at the event. The awards ceremony began after lighting the lamp.

Dr. Krishna Chouhan said that in today’s world, we need to follow the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi. Inspired by Gandhiji’s thoughts, we all need to walk the path of truth and do our work.

Many prominent figures were honored at the awards show, which is a wonderful initiative by the KCF Foundation.

On this occasion, the Hindi music video “Dilon Ki Baat,” featuring Dr. Krishna Chouhan and actress Shirin Farid, was also released. Producer-director Dr. Krishna Chouhan has also become an actor with this song. He stars alongside renowned dancer and actress Shirin Farid in this Hindi album. The song was released through Krishna Music. The music is composed by Rajesh Ghayal, sung by Karishma Sheikh, and songwriters are Shaista Deshmukh.  The DOP is Pappu Shetty, the choreographer is Agnes, and the editor is Sandeep Mishra. Shirin Farid also performed the song live.

On this occasion, director Dr. Krishna Chouhan and singer NK Naresh’s Hindi album “Jod De Dil Se Dil Ki Kadi” was also released, featuring Vinayak Soni and actress Rangita Singh. The music for the music video “Jod De Dil Se Dil Ki Kadi” by renowned singer-performer NK Naresh is composed by veteran composer Dilip Sen and written by renowned lyricist Satyaprakash. Vinayak Soni and the talented actress Rangita Singh have delivered a superb performance in this song. The video song also features glimpses of singer NK Naresh. The dance master for this song is Agnes, and the cameraman is Pappu Shetty. The co-producer is Neelam Jitendra.

  

Dr.  Krishna Chouhan Hosted The 5th “Mahatma Gandhi Ratna Award 2025” In Mumbai

भारत रत्न लता मंगेशकर, ज्यांना प्रेमाने दीदी म्हणून ओळखले जाते, यांच्या ९६व्या जयंतीनिमित्त यशवंतराव चव्हाण नाट्यगृह, कोथरूड, पुणे येथे भव्य दिदी पुरस्कार प्रदान सोहळा झाला. शिरीष थिएटर आयोजित या कार्यक्रमात संगीत क्षेत्रातील दिग्गज आणि सांस्कृतिक व्यक्तिमत्त्वे एकत्र आली होती.

प्रसिद्ध गायिका माधुरा दातार यांना दिदी पुरस्कार प्रदान करण्यात आला आणि हा पुरस्कार आशिष शेलार यांच्या हस्ते देण्यात आला.

पं. ह्रदयनाथ मंगेशकर यांनी दीदींच्या आयुष्यातील काही खास आणि न सांगितलेल्या आठवणी रसिकांसमोर मांडल्या आणि म्हणाले, “ज्या पर्यंत आवाज आहे, स्वर आहे, संगीत आहे, करुणा आहे, त्या पर्यंत त्या राहतील — आणि म्हणूनच त्या माझ्या मोठ्या बहिण आहेत.”

आशिष शेलार म्हणाले, “लता दीदींचं संगीत अमर आहे. त्या भारताच्या आत्म्याचा आवाज होत्या. दिदी पुरस्कारासारख्या उपक्रमांमुळे पुढील पिढ्यांना त्यांच्या स्मृतीतून प्रेरणा मिळत राहील.”

पुरस्कार स्वीकारताना माधुरा दातार म्हणाल्या, “दिदी पुरस्कार मिळणे हा माझ्या आयुष्यातील सर्वात मोठा सन्मान आहे. लता दीदींच्या नावाने हा मान मिळणे ही अभिमानाची आणि प्रेरणादायी गोष्ट आहे. त्यांच्या परंपरेला पुढे नेण्यासाठी मी प्रयत्नशील राहीन.”

“मी लता दीनानाथ…” या हिंदी–मराठी संगीतमय कार्यक्रमात माधुरा दातार, मनीषा निश्‍चल आणि विभावरी जोशी यांनी लता दीदींना सुरेल श्रद्धांजली वाहिली.

या प्रसंगी खास पाहुण्यांमध्ये सुशील कुलकर्णी, मोहन जोशी, प्राजक्ता माळी आणि खासदार मेधा कुलकर्णी उपस्थित होते.

हा सोहळा पुण्यातील सर्वात हृदयस्पर्शी सांस्कृतिक संध्याकाळींपैकी एक ठरला आणि सिद्ध केले की दीदींचा आवाज जरी शांत झाला असला तरी त्यांचा आत्मा प्रत्येक स्वरात जिवंत आहे.

   

“संगीत जिवंत असेपर्यंत दीदी जिवंत राहतील.” — पं. ह्रदयनाथ मंगेशकर यांनी लता मंगेशकर यांच्या ९६व्या जयंतीनिमित्त दिदी पुरस्कार प्रदान सोहळ्यास नेतृत्व केले

भारत रत्न लता मंगेशकर, ज्यांना प्रेमाने दीदी म्हणून ओळखले जाते, यांच्या ९६व्या जयंतीनिमित्त यशवंतराव चव्हाण नाट्यगृह, कोथरूड, पुणे येथे भव्य दिदी पुरस्कार प्रदान सोहळा झाला. शिरीष थिएटर आयोजित या कार्यक्रमात संगीत क्षेत्रातील दिग्गज आणि सांस्कृतिक व्यक्तिमत्त्वे एकत्र आली होती.

प्रसिद्ध गायिका माधुरा दातार यांना दिदी पुरस्कार प्रदान करण्यात आला आणि हा पुरस्कार आशिष शेलार यांच्या हस्ते देण्यात आला.

पं. ह्रदयनाथ मंगेशकर यांनी दीदींच्या आयुष्यातील काही खास आणि न सांगितलेल्या आठवणी रसिकांसमोर मांडल्या आणि म्हणाले, “ज्या पर्यंत आवाज आहे, स्वर आहे, संगीत आहे, करुणा आहे, त्या पर्यंत त्या राहतील — आणि म्हणूनच त्या माझ्या मोठ्या बहिण आहेत.”

आशिष शेलार म्हणाले, “लता दीदींचं संगीत अमर आहे. त्या भारताच्या आत्म्याचा आवाज होत्या. दिदी पुरस्कारासारख्या उपक्रमांमुळे पुढील पिढ्यांना त्यांच्या स्मृतीतून प्रेरणा मिळत राहील.”

पुरस्कार स्वीकारताना माधुरा दातार म्हणाल्या, “दिदी पुरस्कार मिळणे हा माझ्या आयुष्यातील सर्वात मोठा सन्मान आहे. लता दीदींच्या नावाने हा मान मिळणे ही अभिमानाची आणि प्रेरणादायी गोष्ट आहे. त्यांच्या परंपरेला पुढे नेण्यासाठी मी प्रयत्नशील राहीन.”

“मी लता दीनानाथ…” या हिंदी–मराठी संगीतमय कार्यक्रमात माधुरा दातार, मनीषा निश्‍चल आणि विभावरी जोशी यांनी लता दीदींना सुरेल श्रद्धांजली वाहिली.

या प्रसंगी खास पाहुण्यांमध्ये सुशील कुलकर्णी, मोहन जोशी, प्राजक्ता माळी आणि खासदार मेधा कुलकर्णी उपस्थित होते.

हा सोहळा पुण्यातील सर्वात हृदयस्पर्शी सांस्कृतिक संध्याकाळींपैकी एक ठरला आणि सिद्ध केले की दीदींचा आवाज जरी शांत झाला असला तरी त्यांचा आत्मा प्रत्येक स्वरात जिवंत आहे.

“संगीत जिवंत असेपर्यंत दीदी जिवंत राहतील.” — पं. ह्रदयनाथ मंगेशकर यांनी लता मंगेशकर यांच्या ९६व्या जयंतीनिमित्त दिदी पुरस्कार प्रदान सोहळ्यास नेतृत्व केले

Mumbai, October 7, 2025:

The second day of Bahar-e-Urdu, celebrating fifty years of the Maharashtra Urdu Sahitya Academy, lit up the Dome SVP Stadium, Worli, with a grand tribute to Urdu’s eloquence, intellect, and emotion.

The day began with an Open Mic Mushaira, where young poets Kayam Shah, Ahad Saeed, Payal Pandey, Zain Lakhimpuri, Riyaz Aasi, Shaukat Ali, Adnan Shaikh, Mayank Verma, Imran Ataai and Maqsood Aafaque filled the hall with youthful passion and heartfelt verse.

Two scholarly sessions followed. In “Maharashtra Mein Urdu Adab,” moderated by Dr. Tabassum Khan, papers were presented by Dr. Shaikh Ahrar Ahmad (Thane) and Dr. Quazi Naveed Siddiqui (Aurangabad), with insights from Dr. Abdullah Imteyaz Ahmad (Mumbai) and Prof. Shahid Naukhez (Hyderabad). The next, “Modern Technology and Urdu,” moderated by Mohammad Irfan Raza, featured Dr. Mohd. Tabish Khan (Bhiwandi), Dr. Liaqat Ali (Delhi), Dr. Parvez Ahmad, and Dr. Mahmood Mirza, highlighting Urdu’s growing digital presence.

The evening’s Tamseeli Mushaira brought poetic icons to life, with Zahid Ali Sayyed, Manzoor Islam, Sajid A. Hameed, Raziya Baig, Noman Khan, Nuzhat Parveen Akil Kagzi, Talha Bi Saver Hashmi, Mohsin Husnuddin Shaikh, and Khan Shadab Mohammed portraying legendary poets including Mirza Ghalib, Tahir Faraz, Anjum Rehbar and Obaid Azam Azmi.

A mesmerizing Dastangoi by Fouzia Dastango and a soulful Sufi performance by Jhelum Singh — featuring “Nitt Khair Manga,” “Mere Dholna,” and “Dama Dam Mast Qalandar” — enchanted the audience.

The evening celebrated those who continue to serve Urdu through literature, education, and creativity. Awards were presented in the following categories:

Award for Emerging Writers, Layout Designing Award, Award for Urdu Journalism, Special Award, Educational Service Award, University and Degree College Level Award, School Level Award and Best Book Award.

Each award was a reminder of the many different ways Urdu is being nurtured—on the page, in the classroom, and in the community.

The evening also honoured poets, writers, journalists, educators, and designers for their contributions to Urdu, culminating in a spellbinding Qawwali by the Sabri Brothers.

Bahar-e-Urdu’s second day was not merely an event; it was a living celebration of heritage, intellect, and artistry — a reminder that Urdu does not just belong to history books, but to every voice that dares to sing, speak, and dream in its melody. As the festival prepares for its final day, one truth resounds through every ghazal, every word, and every applause — Urdu lives on, radiant as ever, in the hearts of those who love it.

 

Bahar-E-Urdu Day 2: Young Voices, Literary Wisdom & A Night of Soulful Celebration

Mumbai is set to immerse itself in the rich traditions of Urdu literature, art, and music as the Maharashtra Urdu Sahitya Academy marks its golden jubilee with a grand celebration titled Bahar-e-Urdu. The three-day cultural extravaganza, organised by the Minority Department of Maharashtra, will be held at the iconic DOME SVP Stadium, Worli, on 6th, 7th and 8th October 2025.

A Festival of Words, Melody and Heritage

The event promises to be a confluence of Urdu’s timeless charm — from thought-provoking seminars, panel discussions, and storytelling sessions, to soulful renditions of ghazals, qawwali, and sufi music. Exhibition stalls will add to the cultural mosaic, showcasing works that celebrate Urdu’s literary and artistic journey.

Each day will bring a unique mix of performances:

Day One (6th October) opens with an exhibition and inaugural ceremony, followed by a stirring Qaumi Yakjehti Geet, an Urdu theatrical drama, and a celebrity Mushaira featuring acclaimed poets. The evening crescendo’s into an awards distribution ceremony, a session with humourist Surendra Sharma, a panel on Filmon Mein Urdu with Sachin Pilgaonkar and Rumy Jafri and others, and an engaging Q&A session with Javed Akhtar and Rumy Jafri. The show will be hosted by Shekhar Suman and Ali Asgar, closing with a spirited Sufi/Qawwali night led by the legendary Sabri Brothers.

Day Two (7th October) continues the celebration with a Mushaira by young poets, an academic seminar on the Urdu language, a vibrant fashion show, and a dastangoi performance. The evening highlights include a soulful Sufi performance by Jhelum Singh, alongside the distribution of 156 awards across various categories. The day will be hosted by Priya Malik and Imtiyaz Khaleel.

Day Three (8th October) is marked by musical brilliance, featuring performances of sufi music, ghazals, and qawwali. Highlights include Mushairas, theatrical performances, and a stirring qawwali performance by Shabab Sabri. The finale will be hosted by Shekhar Suman, culminating in a grand finale by none other than Padma Shri Anup Jalota, whose ghazals have mesmerised audiences worldwide.

A Living Legacy

Urdu has always been more than a language — it is a bridge of cultures, emotions, and shared heritage. For fifty years, the Maharashtra Urdu Sahitya Academy has nurtured this legacy, encouraging poets, writers, artists, and performers to carry forward the flame. Bahar-e-Urdu is not just a celebration of the past but also a promise for the future — reaffirming the Academy’s commitment to preserve and promote Urdu’s beauty for generations to come.

Event Details

Dates: 6th, 7th, 8th October 2025

Timings: 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM (6th & 7th), 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM (8th)

Venue: Dome SVP Stadium, Lala Lajpatrai Marg, Worli, Mumbai.

Bahar-e-Urdu – 50 Years of Maharashtra Urdu Sahitya Academy

 

Day 1 – 6th October 2025

Hosts: Shekhar Suman & Ali Asgar

Open Mic by Young Poets: Ishtiyaq Asar, Abdussamad Safi, Abid Aseer, Riaz Matnavi, Ilyas Ghazi, Syed Shakir, Shadab Hussain, Afroz Alam, Arif Inamdar, Amjad, Afsar, Tabish Akhtar, Sajid Akhtar

*  Opening Performance (Qaumi Yakjehti Geet): Farkhanda, Kohinoor Music Academy

*  Urdu Theatrical Drama: Mujeeb Khan (Ishq Jale To Jale Aisa), Sahil Ludhianvi

*  Mushaira (Celebrity Poets): Rajesh Reddy, Ubaid Azam Azmi, Shakeel Azmi, Mehsar Afridi, Qamar Siddiqui, Shikha Awadesh

*  Q&A Session: Javed Akhtar & Rumy Jafri

*  Panel Discussion – Filmon main Urdu: Sachin Pilgaonkar, Rumy Jafri, Syed Qadri, moderated by Shekhar Suman

*  Hasya Kavi: Surendra Sharma

*  Sufi/Qawwali Night: Sabri Brothers

 

 Day 2 – 7th October 2025

Hosts: Priya Malik & Imtiyaz Khaleel

*  Mushaira by Young Poets: Kayam Shah, Ahad Saeed, Zain Lakhimpuri, Riyaz Matnavi, Afroz Alam, Syed Shakir, others

*  Seminar on Urdu Language: Dr. Abdullah

*  Fashion Show: Faruk Saiyed Group & Bijnoi Ji

*  Dastangoi Performance: Fouziya (Meena Kumari Play)

*  Sufi Night Performance: Jhelum Singh (Sufi Music)

*  Awards Distribution: 156 awards across categories

 

Day 3 – 8th October 2025

Host: Shekhar Suman

*  Open Mic by Young Poets: Sayyed Salman Abbas, Ghulam Hussain, Azhar Shah, others

*  Bait Bazi (Urdu Poetry Contest): Rais High School & Jr. College, Bhiwandi

*  Tamseeli Mushaira (Theatrical Mushaira): Zahid Ali

*  Urdu Theatrical Drama: Iqbal Niyazi

*  Mushaira by Young Poets: Kaleem Samar and others

*  Qawwali Night: Shabab Shanti

*  Grand Finale – Ghazals: Padma Shri Anup Jalota

 

Bahar-E-Urdu: Celebrating 50 Years Of Maharashtra Urdu Sahitya Academy